JUDGE CLEARS WAY FOR FEN-PHEN LAWSUITS
In August 2012, U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle III refused to exclude expert introduced by Fen-Phen plaintiffs, alleging that complications associated with Pfizer’s diet drug caused them to suffer serious lung problems nine years or more after they last used the medication. Although Pfizer argued that the complaints should be dismissed due to a lack of evidence linking the diet drug to the development of PPH years later, the judge found that the testimony relied on reasonable medical studies and left the decision about whether the evidence was sufficient up to a jury. On November 6, 2012, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed an appeal filed by Pfizer and refused to hear oral arguments on the part of the drug manufacturer.
POTENTIALLY FATAL FEN-PHEN SIDE EFFECTS
Fen-phen was a popular diet drug consisting of fenfluramine and phentermine, and when used together, the medication was supposed to serve as a dietary aid. Unfortunately, fenfluramine was recalled in September 1997, after the drug was linked to life-threatening side effects like heart valve problems and pulmonary hypertension. Since Fen-Phen was removed from the market in the United States, Pfizer and its Wyeth subsidiary (formerly American Home Products) have faced more than 50,000 lawsuits filed on behalf of those affected by the diet drug, and the drug firms have reportedly paid out more than $21 billion in drug settlements.
PRODUCT LIABILITY LAWYERS FOR FEN-PHEN SIDE EFFECT CLAIMS
The recent decision by the federal appeals court is an important one for individuals who believe they may have been adversely affected by Pfizer’s recalled diet drug, allowing former users to continue filing PPH lawsuits over Fen-Phen more than 15 years after the medication was removed from the market. If you used Fen-Phen and have since been diagnosed with persistent pulmonary hypertension or another serious side effect, contact our experienced Fen-Phen attorneys at AMA Law to discuss your legal options. You may have grounds to file a product liability lawsuit against Pfizer and Wyeth, in order to pursue the financial compensation you deserve for your alleged drug-related injuries.